WRC: Latvala gets penalty after crash repair
Jari-Matti Latvala fell to fifth in the overall Rally Poland standings after his last-stage crash forced repairs to his Volkswagen and a penalty.
The Finn had entered the powerstage just 1.1 seconds behind Ott Tanak's M-Sport Ford Fiesta in the battle for third, but he understeered wide on a left-hand corner and hit a tree.
That broke the radiator, and although Latvala brought the car to the end of the stage without losing a place, repairs were required on the short liason stage back to the official finish in the service park. He therefore received a 40s penalty for checking in late, falling back to fifth.
"Fortunately the Polo is a sturdy car and, in the end, we were grateful to our mechanics, whose energetic display kept us in the race," said Latvala. "Without their efforts, we would not have made it to the finish."
His demotion gifted Rally Italy runner-up Haydon Paddon fourth.
Latvala – making his 150th WRC start – had also suffered last-stage heartbreak in Poland six years earlier, famously crashing from second place in a Ford one-two on the closing superspecial.
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